Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce

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Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce is a fantastic steak recipe for a special occasion or holiday meal. Filet Mignon is incredibly tender with a buttery flavor, and when topped with a decadent brown butter mushroom steak sauce, your mouth will water for days.

Grilled Filet Mignon steaks topped with with Mushroom Brown Butter sauce on a platter

We love adding a delicious steak sauce to our steaks. Brown butter steak sauces add a nice coating of flavor and fat while still allowing the steak flavors to shine. Alternatively if looking for steak topping ideas you can also substitute the sauce with a steak compound butter.

Filet Mignon – The Cut

Filet Mignon comes from the center cut of beef tenderloin.

Filet Mignon is a lean piece of beef, this is because the tenderloin is surrounded by the rib cage and does not see much movement. Lean means that there is not as much intramuscular fat in the cut, and will also mean the meat cooks faster than various other cuts, like Ribeye or New York Strip.

Butcher Tip: Consider purchasing a whole Beef Tenderloin and breaking down the cut into your own Filet Mignon steaks. Buying the whole roast will typically cost more up front, but save money when comparing the cost of individual steaks at the store or butcher.

A properly cooked Filet will be tender and juicy, but will cook quickly, so the key is to monitor the internal temperature of the steak regularly.

Seasoning

For seasoning, a simple kosher salt, coarse black pepper, and granulated garlic (SPG Rub) mixture adds great flavor, but not overpowering the beefy flavor. Equal parts of each work best for our preferences and we calculate about 1 tablespoon of seasoning for each steak. So 1/4 cup of seasoning is a good measurement for four steaks.

We also have an herbal and savory beef seasoning or explore all of our rub recipes.

How to Cook Filet Mignon

Filet can be cooked a number of ways.

  • Stove Top – This method requires the pan to be super hot and the use of a high heat oil like grape or avocado. Add the steak to the pan to get a nice crust and flip the steak when it easily releases from the pan. Cast iron works best. Add butter, crushed garlic, and herbs and spoon over the steak for added flavor.
  • Oven – Starting with a high heat, sear the crust and then place into an oven at 400 degrees to finish to the desired internal temperature.
  • Reverse Sear – Start low and slow, in a smoker, then finish at a high heat for the sear.
  • Grilled – Our favorite of the technique for added wood smoke flavor and crust. See below or our full recipe on how to grill filet mignon.

How to Grill Filet Mignon

Grilling Filet Mignon is really easy when you understand the steps. This applies to all grill types (gas and charcoal).

Four filet mignon steaks cooking on the grill
  1. Cook using a two zone method. Start the steaks on direct heat, and when a nice crust develops, flip once and allow the crust to develop on the other side. Then move the steaks to the indirect side. Being able to move the steaks from direct (500 degrees Fahrenheit) heat over to indirect heat prevents burning or overcooking. We prefer lump charcoal for any charcoal cooking.
  2. Allow the steaks to rest. Carry over cooking will continue cooking the steaks up to 5 or 6 degrees F, especially with how lean they are. So they will cook fast, and removing the steaks to allow them to come to your desired finishing temperature is important. This is the perfect time to make any sauce you want to add to the steak. Proper internal temperature requires a great instant read thermometer. We have used the Thermoworks Thermapen One as our go to meat thermometer.
  3. Slice against the grain. You’ll see in Filet that there are lines where the muscle runs. Be sure to slice perpendicular to those lines. This keeps the texture of the steak soft and buttery. Especially if using Prime or American Wagyu steaks like the ones we used in this post from Snake River Farms.
A grilled filet mignon cooked to medium rare, sliced in half

You can also reverse sear versus grilling Filet Mignon for a little added smoke flavor. But we find the flavor and tenderness of the Filet is perfect simply grilled.

How Long to Cook Filet Mignon

With any grilled steak, especially this one, it is less about time and more about cooking to the proper internal temperature. We sear the steak for roughly 2 minutes per side, and then finish on indirect for about 8 more (depending on the exact thickness of each steak). But the key is to cook to temperature and not time.

You can see our full article on the perfect steak temperature and the importance of carry over cooking.

Beef Temperature Ranges

Be sure to take into consideration the carry-over cooking that happens while the steak rests. For steaks remove them 5 degrees lower than your desired temperature. For roasts remove them 10 degrees lower. The steak’s internal temperature will rise as it rests.

Black and Blue100 – 120° Fahrenheit (F)37 – 48° Celsius (C)
Rare120 – 130° F48 – 54° C
Medium Rare130 – 140° F54 – 60° C
Medium140 – 150° F60 – 65° C
Medium Well (not recommended)150 – 160° F65 – 71° C
Well Done (not recommended)160 – 170° F71 – 76° C

How to Make a Brown Butter Sauce

What is a brown butter you may ask? It’s the process of cooking down butter in which the water in butter gets separated out from the solids. As the water cooks out, the butter browns and develops a nutty aroma and flavor. If you add any other element it infuses in the brown butter for extra flavor like sage, garlic, or in our case, mushrooms.

  1. For our brown butter sauce we added mushrooms, and to get the right consistency we sauté the mushrooms first in a pan to get nice and caramelized.
  2. Remove the caramelized mushrooms and then brown the butter. Finish with any other added flavor elements you want. Spoon over the Grilled Filet Mignon for just that extra wow factor.
A mushroom brown butter and sage pan sauce cooking in a skillet

Brown butter will harden as it cools. Store in the fridge and then reheat in a pan.

More Grilled Steak Recipes

This filet recipe makes an amazing pairing with grilled surf and turf. Or you can try these other steak options.

Or check out our steak recipe roundup.

What Wine to Pair with Filet Mignon

The best wines to pair with Grilled Filet Mignon tend to be wines with moderate tannins like Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This is because the filet has less fat than a NY Strip or Ribeye which tend to lend themselves to a Cabernet Sauvignon or big Syrah. You don’t need to select a powerhouse wine for this, and instead look for something silky and smooth, but still has a full body.

grilled filet mignon steaks topped with mushroom brown butter pan sauce on a serving platter

Cabernet Francs from Washington State or Southern Oregon are a great choice, or red Bordeaux blends from Saint-Émilion France. We love Cabernet Franc from Walla Walla Vintners, located in Walla Walla, Washington, with this particular recipe. Also check out South American Malbecs for something fun.

About Vindulge

About Vindulge

Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.


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I purchased this particular bottle of Cabernet Franc directly from the winery, but I have received samples of Walla Walla Vintners in the past. You can see my sample policy here.

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Grilled Filet Mignon topped with a mushroom brown butter sauce with pinterest text
4.56 from 9 votes

Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce Recipe

Filet Mignon with Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce is a fantastic steak recipe for a special occasion or holiday meal. Filet Mignon is incredibly tender with a buttery flavor and topped with a decadent brown butter mushroom sauce, your mouth will water for days.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients 

  • 4 12 ounce filet mignon steaks
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons coarse ground pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons granulated garlic

Brown Butter Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus 1 tablespoon for sauté)
  • 6 ounces cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons diced shallots
  • 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons diced fresh sage
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

For the Grilled Filet Mignon

  • Remove filet from the refrigerator. Pat dry and allow them to come to room temperature (30 minutes to 1 hour).
  • While filets are coming to room temperature, prepare grill for two zone or direct indirect method. Ideally the temperature directly above the charcoal is over 500 degrees.
  • Lightly coat the steaks with olive oil. Combine the salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl and apply liberally to the steaks, including the sides.
  • Place the steaks over direct heat for 2 minutes (enough to get a sear, but not burned). Flip the steaks and cook the other side for additional 2 minutes.
  • Move the steaks to the indirect side of the grill, and finish cooking until the internal temperature of the steak is 125 – 130 degrees F for rare (or longer for your preferred finishing temperature). Remove steaks and let rest. While resting prepare the brown butter.

For the Mushroom Brown Butter Sauce

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon olive oil. Allow butter to melt and then add mushrooms. Saute mushrooms for 10 – 12 minutes to brown and slightly caramelize.
  • After 10 – 12 minutes add shallots and garlic, and saute for additional 4 minutes to soften. Remove the mushroom, shallot, garlic mixture from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Bring butter to a small simmer, stirring occasionally for additional 10 minutes or until the butter starts turning brown and has a nutty aroma. Add back the mushrooms, shallots, and garlic mixture to the brown butter. Finally add salt and sage and immediately remove from heat, stirring to combine.
  • Spoon brown butter over the steak and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 2916mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American, bbq, steak dinner
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 331
Keyword: brown butter steak sauce, filet mignon, grilled filet, grilled filet mignon, mustard steak sauce, steak dinner
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Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is really fantastic and sophisticated! I am already in love with these appetizing photos. I have never tried to cook steaks this way, will definitely try it this weekend as we’re having a party. I am sure that everybody will enjoy this dish. I will definitely consider your recommendation of wines for this dish (I am not a great expert). Thank you for the idea!